act12side

Well, if this isn't a shocker! Who could have known this would happen during the highly-anticipated scrimmage preliminaries?!

Two non-participants who joined the fray out of nowhere ended up our final victors!

Mr. Pancho, is something like this going to fly?!

Ahem... Indeed, this rarely happens in our competitions, and, in principle, we prefer our contestants follow the competition's rules.

It's very regrettable, then...

However.

It isn't so bad for something like this to happen once in a while.

Right! Ahem, it's very regrettable, then! I am afraid we have bad news for our other contestants!

Heh, looks like the MC's pretty good at thinking on the fly. He was about to say we were disqualified.

Maybe.

Looks like we barged into some competition venue.

If I remember correctly, this is the Smash Splash Preliminaries.

But don't forget the whole point of the competitions is to bring joy to the people!

Although the two of them did not go through the proper procedures to join our competition, thanks to their extraordinary skills and flawless teamwork, they survived until the very end!

What a fantastic turn of events! Let us give these ladies a huge round of applause for their performance!

He said our teamwork was flawless. Were we even working together?

I sure hope not.

*Sigh*... how did this happen?

Dad, what's the story behind this invitation...?

Another year, another letter, eh? That woman doesn't know when to give up.

What woman? Give up on what?

Is this something I should tell Mom?

Settle down. It's one of the mayors from that commercial city alliance. Some ten years ago, Wei Yenwu was still in the mood to go visit himself. These days, they only talk to each other via Messenger.

But she's not one to take no for an answer. She sends both of us invitation letters to go visit around this time every year.

Commercial alliance... The one in Columbia?

No, it's in Bolívar. You heard of it before. She's the mayor there.

Dossoles... Candela Sanchez?

I heard that place is a money sink... Are you not going?

It's halfway across the world, and what would I do there? My arms and legs are too old for that kind of abuse.

Besides, even if I were in the mood for a trip, it's meaningless if Wei Yenwu doesn't go.

That's right. The one they want to butter up to is the Chief of Lungmen, Mr. Wei, and it's true that he doesn't have the luxury to take a trip now, given all the responsibilities on his shoulders.

Please don't sell yourself short either, Dad. If you were to take a trip, we wouldn't have anyone look after the flowers at the shop, and the uncles would have one less person to play chess with.

Seoi neoi. So that's how you compare me to Wei Yenwu.

Our cities have a trade agreement. If Wei Yenwu had his heart set on going, he'd go. He's sick of Dossoles, and it's certainly not worth visiting.

And if Wei Yenwu isn't going, then I'm not going either.

Okay, I understand. I'll toss the invitation, then.

Hm? A phone call from Lady Fumizuki?

Mr. Lin, it's me.

Lady Fumizuki, to what do I owe the pleasure?

A phone call from Lady Fumizuki? I'll give you the room...

Is that Yühsia? Ask her to stay. This has to do with her as well.

Yühsia, stay.

Alright.

Mr. Lin, I'm sure you, too, received the invitation?

As always. Is something the matter?

Personally, I am quite fond of the idea of going on a holiday there, but you know how Yenwu is. You couldn't find a lazier person if you tried.

Of course. But it seems you have a different idea?

I would like Yühsia to visit the city in Yenwu's stead.

That's...

I will persuade Yenwu. You needn't worry.

Absolutely, you are the boss, after all. But that's not what concerns me...

I'll get to the point. It's far too soon for Yühsia to take on so much responsibility.

Dad, what did Lady Fumizuki say?

She wants you to go to Dossoles in Wei Yenwu's stead.

I'll go.

Yühsia.

I am going.

Mr. Lin?

Fine, if my daughter wants to go on a trip, is it her father's place to say no?

She can go.

Very well. Yühsia, make sure to pack for a long trip.

I will.

Yühsia.

I'll bring you some souvenirs, Dad.

*Sigh*... Nei go sei seoi neoi ah...

Alright, then. It's settled. Get yourself ready for the trip. You will be away for some time. Have your mother help you pack.

Alright.

If this is what Lady Fumizuki wants, I am sure there is more to it than we know. A holiday... Does this have something to do with Ch'en?

Whatever... No use thinking about it so much. It's not like she'd want to pull any strings to take advantage of Yühsia, what with how fond of the youngsters she is.

That aside... *Sigh*.

Looks like there's no keeping her home when she's all grown up.

Fumizuki, did you arrange for Lin Yühsia's trip to Dossoles?

I did.

What's the problem? They invited us not because they had any actual business to discuss with you. It's just a vacation trip.

You wanted to send Hui-chieh, didn't you?

That's right. I was never trying to hide it from you, however.

If Lin Yühsia is my representative there, Hui-chieh will get to take it easy and have as much fun as she wants, but...

Ch'en is at Rhodes Island right now. Although I trust them, I have no way of knowing how she is doing there.

Besides, I know our little Ch'en is in no position to represent you right now. Yühsia, on the other hand, always does a good job with everything. She is the perfect substitute.

The Rat King's daughter won't necessarily become the Rat King herself.

If that's what she wants, then give her a chance, and if she manages to seize the opportunity, it just shows how capable she is.

Or will the venerable Chief Wei send all of Lungmen's forces after me, a frail lady, for overstepping my boundaries?

You know I always listen to you when I make these decisions. It's just...

You've met Candela. Hui-chieh and Yühsia are still far too young to handle her.

For how often you call me a worrywart, it certainly seems like you are the biggest in the room.

If it wasn't for your personality, perhaps you could've found yourself on better terms with our little Ch'en.

We are not discussing this right now, Fumizuki.

*Sigh*, Dossoles is famous not only in Bolívar, but all across the world, and it is in no small part because of her. She is no ordinary woman.

We've been there before. It's a city you could never have imagined in a thousand years.

Given she built it singlehandedly, it's no wonder that you fear her, both as the Chief of Lungmen and from a personal standpoint.

You agree with me, then...

But you big shots are always so calculating, trying to get the upper hand over each other, and it's always the first thing that crosses your mind when meeting anyone.

If I have to say, I saw it the moment I laid my eyes on Candela. She's the kind of person who's capable of many things. Bad things. But she definitely won't do anything that puts Ch'en and Yühsia in harm's way.

You think she will be a bad example for the children, but I think there's no better place to send them.

If you are so worried, Yühsia most likely hasn't left for Dossoles yet, and I haven't sent the letter out to Ch'en either. There is still time.

Fine, we'll do as you say.

Hm, I spotted a few Rhodes Islanders just now, I think...? Don't tell me they came to Siesta too...

Guess I'll go find out in a minute.

Who is it?

Miss Ch'en, sorry to interrupt your vacation.